MINUTES TAS Division Meeting

Date: Thursday 25 June 2015

Time: 9.00am – 1.00pm

Location: Boardroom

Attendees:

Mel Percival Matt Cocker Hobart Airport Michael Cullen Launceston Airport Peter Holmes Launceston Airport Michael Wells Burnie Wynyard Airport Geoff Grace Airport Peter Friel Jared Feehely AAA Geoff Dugan Tas Ports Ross Loakim Downer Tom Griffiths Airports Plus Pty Ltd Rod Sullivan Burnie Wynyard Airport

Apologies:

Paul Hodgen Launceston Airport Rod Parry Hobart Airport Kent Quigley AirServices Australia Caroline Wilkie AAA Arthur Johnson

1. Welcome and Introductions

Mel Percival, Chair of AAA Tas Division opened the meeting and thanked members for attendance. The minutes from the joint TAS/VIC meeting were tabled and noted by members.

2. AAA National Update

Jared Feehely, AAA Regional Airports Officer, provided members with a summary of major initiatives undertaken in 2014/15 by the AAA and also outlined the focus areas for 2015/16. This summary included:  60 major milestones being identified for 2015/16 with a particular focus on education delivery (including the appointment of education manager in AAA) and a strong focus on security/CASA and compliance.  Major initiatives delivered include Ops Swap, Airport Safety Week, MOS 139 Post Implementation Review and delivering a new AAA website  Policy focus areas for the year have focused on lobbying a ‘risk based approach’ to security, in addition to work on planning, deregulation and aerodrome safety.  Information on a senate enquiry into aviation security is expected soon, unsure of the outcome

The Chair moved to congratulate the AAA on their achievements in 2015 and the focus areas being targeted, and also provided an overview of the work being completed on an all of state access strategy for , which is seeking to deliver a coordinated access plan and strategy. Members are encouraged to provide feedback on the plan once available for comment.

3. Council Rates

Michael Cullen from Launceston Airport and Mel Percival Chair, AAA (Hobart Airport), provided an overview of the council rates issues affecting both airports, which includes:

 Summary of issues impacting overvaluation of airport sites, without reference to similar off airport tenancies/market evidence;  Process of engaging with the valuer general’s office difficult and complicated due to the use of an external consultant for valuation expertise;  Overvaluation resulting in councils seeking substantial increases in rates reducing the investment capability of airports;  Lack of understanding of councils with regard to airport lease arrangements and areas upon which rates are and aren’t recoverable;  Lack of services provided by councils to federally leased airports given the substantial value of payments made to councils;  Both airports are looking to move away from a valuer general process to determine the value of the airport sites and will be seeking to adopt a memorandum of understanding with councils to agree to valuation methodology and applicable areas upon which rates are payable.

4. Hobart Airport Runway Extension Project Update

Mel Percival from Hobart Airport provided an overview of the Hobart Airport Runway Extension Project, which included:

 500m total extension length (350m South and 150m North)  Lighting changes triggering environmental compliance  Closure of Surf Road (currently just an easement)  New road construction from Surf Road to Highway (Grueber Avenue)  MDP is currently scheduled to be completed in 2 months, with earliest commencement date of Feb 2016.  Project is anticipated to be 18 months in length, with completion anticipated in 2018

5. Launceston Airport Retail Terminal Project

Michael Cullen of Launceston Airport provided a presentation and overview of the terminal transformation and extension project

 Adding around 600m2 in new floor space at the front of the terminal  Featuring ‘sense of Tasmania’ finishes, including timber panelling and ceiling  Introducing new retailers which will seek to celebrate Tasmania and focus on Tasmanian produce, gifts etc.  Include power points, phone charging stations and Wi‐Fi  Works anticipated to be completed at the end of CY2015

6. Flinders Island Presentation and Update

Geoff Grace of Flinders Island provided a presentation and update on recent apron works/transfer station for RFDS conducted at Flinders Island Airport.

Geoff provided an overview which included:

 Constraints on timing of receiving funding from state and implications on commitment required from Flinders Island council.  Issues associated with supply of materials to the Island and the challenges of contractor. availability due to late timing of funding approval to undertake works.  Lessons learnt included improved program and project management.  An overview of the existing runway condition, including the option for a new runway at approximately $21M construction cost.  Long term issues need to be identified and how a funding model can be arrived at. AAA TAS Division is to determine a political strategy to tackle matters.

7. Update on MOS and CASA

Tom Griffiths and Jared Feehely updated the group on relevant issues including:

 CASA rewriting of regulation in respect to MOS139.  Acceptable means of Compliance (AMC).  The goal is to cut red tape and be cost‐neutral and follow Annex 14.  Seeking to halve the regulations and provide the “minimum” standard.  Intent is to only provide the minimum standard and move away from being prescriptive.  New standards will allow a better approach to the safety base case.  Registered aerodromes will be reclassified under a six tier strategy.  Working groups are engaging with CASA and many of the recommendations have been endorsed.  There has been a move within CASA to remove “grandfathering” (legacy issues) , although this is unlikely to be supported by industry.  A Notice of Proposed Rule‐Making is likely to be issued to industry by November 2015 for feedback and AAA will be included in the review process.  It was noted that the review team seems to be heavily focused on major airports and lacking in regional airport representation.  A webinar is available on the AAA website which includes a presentation on the approach which CASA will be adopting.  Code numbers for runways will change (publish width, length and code of OLS)

Action:

AAA members to refer regional issues through Jared in the next four weeks.

AAA members should report to Dilip Mathew where differing interpretations are occurring in respect of NCN’s.

8. AAA National Conference

Mel Percival and Katrina Pawley updated the group on the upcoming conference and opportunities presented for the AAA TAS Division:

 Exhibition space o Hobart Airport Lounge o Launceston Airport morning tea sponsorship  Gala Dinner – currently investigating what can be included at the Princes Wharf Hobart, including themed options. An option is being explored to provide “devil ears” to guests. Fulton Hogan is sponsoring a Lark Whisky Bar.  Tourism Tasmania to provide imagery to assist in the exhibition space and airports are to provide imagery to Mel.  Pre‐AGM drinks (Wednesday) – the suggestion is do pre‐AGM drinks featuring each region.  Mel and Michael are to work on “touch‐points” for incorporating elements into programs.  Focus needed on putting together pre/post‐conference tour options – speak to businesses within the respective regions and how this can be promoted.  Tourism Tasmania has been asked to pull together itineraries for arriving/departing from each port.  Need to think of a Tasmanian gift – suggestions to be provided to Mel (note 650 units are required) 9. Joint NT/TAS AAA meetings

Mel Percival outlined a possible agenda for a joint divisional meeting:

 Need to come up with discussion points and undertake a social function incorporating fresh food; outdoors; drinks.  12pm lunchtime function with AAA TAS AGM prior.  Need to determine a historic/iconic location.  Suggested agenda items include:  Shared experiences – infrastructure, compliance, recruitment ‐ develop strategies to address.  Training/education update (Mathew Allison of AAA to speak)  TAS AGM pre‐meeting

A draft agenda is to be issued to NT Division and finalised prior to the meeting

10. Around the traps

 LST – runway overlay now completed, as is the car park and roads project. Lower passenger growth noted.  BWT – State planning scheme is still bubbling and a new scheme is coming. Seeking to engage with government to ensure consistency in schemes and ensure airport protection is maintained. Passenger numbers are flat. ROI <10% for the first time in a long time. Increased GA/Aero fees.  DPO – 10% passenger growth. New car park – keeping at reasonable rate. An asphalt overlay is planned in FY16 together with a PAPI System installation replacing T‐ VASIS. The airport is assuming the screening function. Bird count is being automated.  FLS – business plan under development. Reviewing storage units. Hangars (charter ops). Parking (but no charge). Lack of by‐laws creates issues with abandoned vehicles.  HBA – Offices removed, consolidated and relocated. Hoarding going up for terminal redevelopment. 3% growth to 31/3/15. Apron issues evident at peak times. Exploring possible state co‐funding for digital arrival experiences. Free Wi‐Fi being introduced soon. Changes to passenger screening point have occurred. Working with Tas Pol following AFP removal. New FIDS and CCTV upgrades.  Rod Sullivan – Cert III ARO/ASO in conjunction with AAA and Federal government. Approximately 180 people have completed the training.

Meeting closed at 1250 Next meeting: Monday 12th October